Stewardship: FAQ
Stewadship FAQ
Q. WHAT IS A PLEDGE?
A. A pledge is not a gift made today. A pledge is your promise to provide a certain amount of financial support to the work of Holy Innocents’ next year, 2012. Each fall, members are asked to complete a pledge card for the year ahead. Annual pledges and offerings are the only source of support for worship and programs in our parish.
Q. WHY SHOULD I PLEDGE?
A. Holy Innocents’ asks for our pledge now, so that our parish leadership can plan the program life of the parish for 2012, and do so with a balanced budget. Returning your pledge card is a commitment of your financial support for the coming year. You may fulfill your pledge on any schedule that meets your needs in 2012-- weekly, monthly, quarterly or in one lump sum.
• The vitality of the parish depends on your ongoing, committed support. This support includes your financial commitment, participation in worship and other parish activities, and the offering of your time and talent.
• In 2011, 46% of our households made a written pledge, as the following chart shows. This is slightly higher than the national average for Episcopal churches. However, we would like to be even more “above average!” While many other households make financial gifts throughout the year, a written pledge helps the Vestry and other leaders plan for 2012.
Q. HOW MUCH SHOULD I PLEDGE?
A. All that we have is a gift from God. What we do with what we have been given is our gift in return. The dollar amount that you pledge to Holy Innocents’ is between you and God. The amount that you pledge ought to be a meaningful amount for you, reflecting your gratitude to God for the worship and program life of Holy Innocents’. To the left is a chart showing the various levels of pledges made for 2011.
Q. HOW DO I FULFILL MY PLEDGE?
A. Returning your pledge card represents your promise to make contributions to Holy Innocents’ in 2012. You may pay your pledge on any schedule that suits your needs during the course of the year.
• You may make payments toward your pledge by placing a check in the offering plate on Sunday morning, by mail, online, by credit card or by authorized bank draft.
For more questions about pledging, please contact Caroline Fleming at or 404-751-2906.